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Aero-Flite expanding at Spokane

Aero-Flite Inc. is expanding operations at Spokane International Airport, where the company is planning a 30,000-square-foot maintenance hangar to handle its growing fleet, says general manager Chris Niemann.

The Spokane Journal reported that the company has filed a pre-development conference application with the city of Spokane to review plans for the structure, valued at over $8 million. The company bases its operations in 33,000 square feet of hangar space, which includes a 6,000-square-foot attached tent; Niemann says the new hangar will be built next to the existing facility and it will improve winter maintenance capacity.

Aero-Flite scoopers
Aero-Flite ducks in a row

He says the fleet will grow from 12 to 14 aircraft. The  company added one plane in 2023 and will add two more next year. The FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) on the Dash 8-400AT airtanker last spring; Aero-Flite has pursued the U.S. certification of the airtanker version of the Dash-8 airliner.

Also operating AVRO RJ-85 and Canadair CL-415 airtankers, Aero-Flite plans to expand their fleet; with the new STC, Aero-Flite will add two Dash 8-400ATs and the FAA approval will allow U.S.-registered Dash 8-400ATs to fly aerial firefighting missions across all states.

The Aero-Flite airtankers will operate under a long-term, multiyear contract with the State of Washington.

Aero-Flite maintenance
Expanding its hangar space will reduce employee time spent moving aircraft around during maintenance time in the off season. Aero-Flite photo

The maintenance hangar will be a pre-engineered metal building with insulated panels for siding. Spokane-based Garco Construction will be the contractor. Since Niemann joined the company in May 2021, Aero-Flite has added 40 employees, bringing the  workforce to about 180 people. That includes 125 Spokane-area employees.

For four years running, Aero-Flite’s been named by the Spokane Journal of Business as one of the best places to work in the Inland Northwest.

Tanker 260
Tanker 260 — Aero-Flite photo

AirMed&Rescue reported back in the spring that Aero-Flite is a business with 60 years of experience in the aerial firefighting sector. It employs over 170 aviation experts, including 51 pilots and 74 mechanics, and operates a mixed fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, including seven Avro RJ85 airtankers and four De Havilland CL-415 waterbombers; the Dash 8-400AT is one of the world’s most modern airtankers.

 ~ Thanks and a tip of the hardhat to RJ 

 

Washington governor requests federal aid

Governor Jay Inslee this week sent a letter to President Biden asking for a major disaster declaration and federal assistance to help survivors recover from damages incurred by wildfires in Spokane County from August 18 to 25. During that week, the Wanes Gray and Oregon Road fires killed two people and destroyed more homes than any other fire in state history.

Spokane County
Spokane County, Washington

KREM-2 reported that the Gray Fire started August 18 near Gray Road in Medical Lake and quickly spread to the east and southeast through town and across I-90. The fire (also known as the Wanes Gray Fire) caused a town-wide evacuation for Medical Lake and multiple surrounding areas.

The Oregon Road Fire started the same day on E. Oregon Road in Elk. The fire resulted in Level 3 evacuation orders and drew resources from all over Washington state. It burned almost 11,000 acres, killed one person, and was determined to be human-caused; the fire destroyed 126 homes and 258 outbuildings.

Gray Fire 08/19
Gray Fire 08/19/2023 — WSDOT photo

Spokane Public Radio reported that Inslee said Spokane County’s population has an average lower income and higher unemployment rate than state averages. He said the damage has overwhelmed state and local resources, and asked the president to make financial assistance for wildfire survivors available through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. Financial assistance and direct services would be available to eligible individuals and households who had uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.

Oregon Road Fire, post by Spokane redditor pilot37.
Oregon Road Fire, post by Spokane redditor pilot37.

Inslee also requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency assist with debris management and disposal to reduce negative effects on local waterways.

Inslee earlier made available $2.5 million from his office’s emergency assistance fund to help with individual assistance as well as testing and removal of debris for uninsured homeowners affected by the fires. Additional funds will also be available for debris removal from state Department of Commerce emergency response funds.

Read the letter [PDF] here.